Physically tough, boring in person and dangerous when cornered: lessons from a new Putin biography
Philip Short’s Putin, the result of hundreds of interviews, is illuminating – but with a subject this volatile, it already feels out of date
Philip Short’s Putin, the result of hundreds of interviews, is illuminating – but with a subject this volatile, it already feels out of date
What was the difference between Nancy Mitford's assessment of romance and John Updike's? Or Jilly Cooper's and David Nicholls'?
Ahead of the publication of his memoir, the broadcaster discusses his health, marriage, and why he’s incensed by Ofcom - and Nadine Dorries
The author has, by Royal command, written a fairy tale for the Jubilee, so does he see still see magic in our ancient kingdom?
Looking for ideas for your next book binge? Find out what our readers have recommended
From bestseller fiction to memoirs and self-help, find out what our readers' favourite books were in 2021
From Sally Rooney’s anxious millennials to Jonathan Franzen’s priapic pastor, the year’s best novels sought clarity amid the chaos
Not all snowflakes are found on Twitter. Here's our roundup of the best books for children with independent minds
Our critics round up the year's best reads, from thought-provoking non-fiction to page-turning thrillers
From Westminster to Wandsworth prison – tales of a turbulent 12 months in our nation’s history
Internet extremists, the broiling Sunni-Shia conflict, and an ascendant Russia - these are the books to help you predict 2021's fault lines
The pandemic may have tempted us to dive back into reading but turning those pages and getting stuck in can enhance our lives
Harry Potter saved their industry – 25 years later, they’re pretending she doesn’t exist. It’s pure hypocrisy
The doyenne of ‘tartan noir’ explains why the streets of Glasgow are the 'physical equivalent’ of social media
Does JK Rowling's creation have a future? Let's hope not. History tells us here are many reasons to leave The Boy Who Lived alone
McCartney is playing Glastonbury, Kate Bush is number one and Top Gun 2 is the year's big film. Have original ideas fallen out of fashion?
How does a successful comic – albeit one with crippling stage fright – cope when his son becomes the king of Hollywood? Very well, it seems
Clarkson’s Farm made millions aware that British agriculture is at a crossroads. But what comes next?
We remember some of the greatest talents from the arts world who have passed away this year
From Winnie-the-Pooh to Paddington, and Claude to Little Miss Helpful, children's favourite characters are celebrating the Platinum Jubilee
The bestselling author explains why she worries that coronavirus restrictions has deprived a generation of vital experiences
From a seasonal Paddington Bear story to Shirley Hughes's most recent book, here’s how to get kids reading this Easter holiday
With a bold new novel out, the celebrated children’s author – now 76 – talks age, causing offence, and 'reimagining' Enid Blyton
This year's shortlisted books feature stories based on harrowing real-life events, such as Fukushima and the Blitz
Get to Dostoevsky when you can – with Shirley Hughes's books about love and loss and sacrifice, you've already got the basics covered
The author and illustrator behind Dogger – and more than 270 other classics – created a world of glorious, reassuringly everyday adventures
A typically dark Dahl story – about the grisly fate of a young vegetarian – taught me that fiction has a duty to shake up the reader
The actress-turned-novelist's follow-up to Love and Other Thought Experiments is unexpected: a crime novel about an experimental school
The bestselling author explains why she worries that coronavirus restrictions has deprived a generation of vital experiences
Looking for ideas for your book club? These brilliant releases will fill any room with conversation
From a superb murder mystery to a thrilling spy novel, these books are sure to delight on Christmas Day and beyond
The actor may be 'cancelled' for refusing to join the trolls. Or have his critics never forgiven him for The Danish Girl?
Meg Rosoff is a rare writer of young adult fiction who is also loved by grown-ups
Disney’s $125m fantasy epic has been 20 years in the making, yet will never be seen on the big screen. Its director explains why
Claire Cohen's new book BFF? asks why women feel like failures if they don't stay best friends with girls they swapped notes with at school
Robert Verkaik’s new book The Traitor of Colditz tells the story of a Lord Haw Haw-like turncoat – and the MI9 spy who saw through his ruse
Based on the hit podcast, Jamie Bartlett’s book The Missing Cryptoqueen investigates a con that made Theranos look like small fry
Edward Chancellor's terrific new book The Price of Time goes back millennia to show how unprecedented our era of rock-bottom rates really is